Case Report: Chronic Olecranon Bursitis as a Risk Factor for Squamous Cell Carcinoma

Chronic inflammatory conditions have previously been shown to lead to the development of cancer in humans. Olecranon bursitis (OB) has not yet been explicitly correlated to the development of squamous cell carcinoma and to our knowledge, this is the first case report documenting this possible association.

A 70-year-old male with a 12-year history of non-healing wounds, smoking, alcohol use, gout, and intermittent OB presented to the orthopedic clinic with acutely worsening left elbow pain, fever, chills, and fatigue. He was previously treated with incision and drainage (I&D) on numerous occasions during his 12-year disease course with instructions to follow-up with wound care and control risk factors, but was non-compliant. In June 2025 the patient acutely presented with progression of his wound to a large pyogenic ulcer with deep extension and systemic symptoms. At that time he underwent I&D with tissue biopsy, revealing that his wound had developed into squamous cell carcinoma (SCC). Following this diagnosis, the treatment plan shifted from radical excision with flap coverage to upper extremity amputation as a life-preserving measure.

This case demonstrates the morbidity associated with a chronic inflammatory state coupled with patient non-compliance. This highlights the importance of early intervention and compliance in the treatment of chronic inflammatory conditions, such that proper resolution is achieved in the acute setting, as well as to decrease the risk of complications of chronic disease such as SCC.